Mail box



Nov. 3, 1925.

1,560,330 F. scHwARz MAIL BOX Filed Jan. 23, 19 25 (ii Wow F 51777175175 Eafiwgrz. I

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES istam PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND SCHWABZ, 0F SHEBOYG N, WISCONSIN.

MAIL BOX.

Application filed January as, 1925. Serial No. 4,185.

This invention relates to mail boxes, and

is an improvement over that disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 706,487 for latches for mail boxes or the like, filed April 14, 19:24, and h-asin general the same objects as those disclosed in said application.

Further objects are to provide a mail box which is equipped with a latch adapted to automatically aid in completely closing the door when said door is moved towards closing position, and which is further adapted to open the door when the latch is rocked in the opposite direction.

Further objects are to provide a mail box of the above described characteristics, which is so constructed that it may be locked in closed position, and which is equipped with a weighted latch provided with a manipulating handle located on the outer side of the body of the box, and so constructed that it may be most easily clamped by the operator.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyin drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the box, such view being partly in section.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the box showing the lock in position.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1.

The mail box comprises a main body portion 1 which preferably has an oval top. A flat bottom 2 is secured to the body portion preferably by means of downwardly turned flanges 3 between which any suitable main support for the box may be positioned.

The front of the box is open and is adapted to be closed by means of a door 4: contoured to fit within the box and pivotally carried by a pintle pin 5 at its lower end. This door extends slightly below the pivot pin so as to provide a portion adapted to catch beneath the bottom when the door is rocked into the dotted line open position indicated in Figure 4 and to thus provide a substantially horizontal continuation of the bottom.

The door is provided with a channel portion 6 around its top, and vertical portion adapted to receive the forward beaded edge 7 of the body portion.

A latch 8 is mounted above the box and is pivotally carried by the upturned flanges 9 of clips 10 secured to the top side of the body portion. The latch 8 is provided with an inwardly and downwardly extending front latching portion 11 which fits over the channel portion 6 of the door, as shown in Figure 1, when the door is closed. This portion is further equipped with downwardly extending tongues 12 providing a slot or aperture between them. The door is equipped with a forwardly projecting eyeletted portion 13 adapted to enter such aperture and adapted to receive the bail 14; of any suitable lock 15, as shown inFigure 2.

The latch is further provided with a rearwardly extending portion which projects into the box and is equipped with a curved foot portion 16. This foot portion is adapted to contact with the inner side of the door when the latch is swung in a clockwise direction to thus throw the door open. If desired, the rear of the eyeletted member 13 may be thickened to constitute a bumper against which the curved foot 16 is adapted to strike.

The latch is provided with a relatively heavy weighted portion 17 which constitutes a manipulating handle and may, if desired, be provided with a shoulder 18 to facilitate gripping by the operator.

It is to be noted that when the latch is in either of its two extreme positions, as shown in full and dotted lines in Figure 1, that the weighted portion 17 is positioned upon opposite sides of the pivot 19 for the latch and thus aids the latch in either its closing or its opening action.

When it is considered that these mail boxes are exposed to all kinds of weather and are frequently difficult to open, it is appreciated that the latch is in the nature of a hammer and materially aids in dislodging and opening the door.

Further than this, it will be seen that the device is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, it is to be noted that the parts are strong and relatively few in number and substantially fool proof. For example, when the door is open and the latch is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, it is merely necessary to swing the door upwardly in order to operate the latch. lVhen the door is so swung it contactsHvith thecurved foot 16 which is then in the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, and thus throws the latch over into the full line position as the door closes.

closing the door, but merely slamsthe door to with the assur ance that the latch will I be in correct" position when the door is closed.

It will thus be seen that a, mail box has i been proiridedwhich is of simpleconstruc- "tion, which is strong, and which 1S" not likely to get out of order.

Although the"invention has been described in Cons derable detail, it is to be understood that the; invention may be vari ously' embodied and is, therefore, a to be limited only as "claimed.

I claiin:

A mail box con'lprising a body portion,

door closing one end thereof and pivoted ad acent 1ts lower end to the said body port-lon, a latchpivoted to the upward forward Thus the'operator is' not required to manipulate the latch itself when part of said body portion and having a Weighted handle and an inwardly directed latching tongue adapted to be positioned in front ofsaiddoorWhensaid door is closed, said latching tongue having an aperture "th'erethrough, said latch having an arm extending inwardly of said box and provided \vith'a projecting'member adapted to con tact with the inner side of said door when said latch is rocked rearu-ardly to thus throw said door open, said Weight being so related to the pivot point of said latch as to occupy positions on opposite sides of said pivot point when said latch is in its locking 7 and unlocking positions, said door having a FERDINAND SCHlVARZ. 

